Behaviorism. is a theory of animal and human learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviors and discounts mental activities. Behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the acquisition of new behavior.

Experiments by behaviorists identify conditioning as a universal learning process. There are two different types of conditioning, each yielding a different beha﻿vioral pattern:

1.Classic conditioning occurs when a natural reflex responds to a stimulus. The most popular example is Pavlov's observation that dogs salivate when they eat or even see food. Essentially, animals and people are biologically "wired" so that a certain stimulus will produce a specific response. Dr. Ivan Pavlov first experimented with this phenomenon in the early 20th century. What started as a study of the types of saliva dogs produce when anticipating food turned into a study of learning, as Pavlov inadvertently taught the dogs to associate a ringing bell with feeding time. Soon, the dogs began salivating when the bell rang, even if no food was nearby.

Pavlov called the dog's natural response to the food the "unconditioned response," and the food was "the unconditioned stimulus." The act of salivating to the food is the "unconditioned reflex." The act of salivating to the bell is the "conditioned reflex," the bell is the "conditioned stimulus" and the salivation is the "conditioned response."

In dog training, for example, you could use classical conditioning to retrain a dog jumps around when you're putting on his leash to go for a walk. If he knows to sit on command for a treat, tell him to sit down by the door with his leash on. When he does, give him a treat and take him outside for a few minutes. Bring him back in and repeat until he quickly sits for his treat, then start asking him to sit without a treat. Again, when he sits, take him out. Repeat until he sits by the door without being asked.

2. Behavioral or operant conditioning occurs when a response to a stimulus is reinforced. Basically, operant conditioning is a simple feedback system: If a reward or reinforcement follows the response to a stimulus, then the response becomes more probable in the future. For example, leading behaviorist B.F. Skinner used reinforcement techniques to teach pigeons to dance and bowl a ball in a mini-alley. Psychologist Edward Lee Thorndike studied operant conditioning at approximately the same time as Pavlov's research. He put a cat in what he termed a "puzzle box," with food just outside of the box. By scratching around the inside the box, the cat would eventually hit the trigger for the door and escape to the food. After many repetitions, the cat released itself as soon as it was placed in the box.

To use operant conditioning to teach your dog to wait patiently as you're getting ready to take him out, stand at the door with him. When he sits down accidentally, even if it takes a while, immediately open the door and take him out. Walk around for a few minutes, bring him back in, and repeat the procedure until he sits immediately when you bring him to the door.

In Behavioral Learning Theory, learners are basically passive, just responding to stimuli. Instructor designs the learning environment. Instructor shapes child’s behavior by positive/ negative reinforcement. Teacher presents the information and then students demonstrate that they understand the material. Students are assessed primarily through tests